Posted on: Thursday, May 22, 2003

Hawai'i men join flood relief work in Samoa

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two members of the American Red Cross Hawai'i Chapter left yesterday for American Samoa, where heavy rains Monday caused flash-flooding and major mudslides that killed at least four people.

American Samoa authorities reported yesterday that two people were missing and at least five others seriously injured. One man who suffered serious leg injuries was flown to O'ahu for treatment because the U.S. territory's main hospital was damaged by the flood.

The man's condition was not available yesterday.

Glenn Lockwood, Red Cross Hawai'i's disaster director, and damage assessment volunteer Waimea Williams left yesterday to provide relief assistance to those affected by the disaster. The Hawai'i chapter is the Red Cross' lead chapter for the Pacific Islands.

Gus Hannemann, a Hawai'i resident and the American Samoa liaison for federal, state and territorial affairs, is going to American Samoa tomorrow and said he will find out what aid is needed. Hannemann will be accompanying the body of American Samoa Sen. Sala Samiu, who died in Honolulu on Monday.

Hannemann said he has not received calls for help from the government there, but that the situation is "really, really bad."

The flash floods and mudslides forced the closure of schools, roadways and bridges. Pago Pago's main hospital was reopened yesterday after it was shut down to all but emergency cases because of flooding.